RAS question
Jan Dhan Yojana was launched in:
Correct answer: (A) 2014.
Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana was launched on 28 August 2014 as a national mission for financial inclusion.
Explanation
Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana (PMJDY) was launched on 28 August 2014, so 2014 is the correct year. The cited Press Information Bureau release describes PMJDY as a National Mission for Financial Inclusion and states that it is the world's largest financial inclusion initiative. Its purpose is to bring unbanked adults into formal banking through one basic bank account. The scheme's core benefits explain why it is important for economy questions: no minimum balance requirement, no account opening or maintenance charges, a free RuPay debit card with Rs. 2 lakh accident insurance cover, life insurance of Rs. 30,000, and eligibility for an overdraft of up to Rs. 10,000.
Why the other options are wrong
- (B) 2013 is too early because the PIB source states that PMJDY was launched on 28 August 2014.
- (C) 2016 is too late because PMJDY had already been launched in August 2014.
- (D) 2015 is incorrect because the scheme began on 28 August 2014, not in the following year.
Concept
This tests financial inclusion under Indian Economy, especially flagship Union government schemes and their launch years. It recurs in RAS because PMJDY links welfare delivery, banking access, insurance, credit and digital payments in one high-visibility scheme.